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Updates to our information site

Here’s a summary of the updates that we’ve made recently to the theInformationHub. There are links within each update to where you can find more information about the update. There are also links next to many of the updates, which link to threads on our online forum where you can discuss these with other people with convictions.

About criminal records

Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO) – We’ve produced some new information which sets out the circumstances whereby a Court would give a SCPO and examples of the conditions that it may contain.

Work and volunteering

Disclosing a conviction you don’t believe you’re guilty of – We’ve written an advice post detailing ways of disclosing your criminal record if you don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong.

Travel

Travelling to the US – We’ve updated our existing information with a new information page specifically for travelling to the US. We’ve also created four separate (but linked) pages which we hope will make it easier to find what you’re looking for:

Prison issues

Working for an outside employer while still in prison – We’ve updated this page which includes a Victims Levy Calculator to help you work out how much of your wages will be deducted when you start working outside of the prison.

For family members of people with convictions

We’ve developed a new information page bringing together links to information, resources and useful contacts which may be helpful to family members of people with convictions.

theRecord posts

Below are links to recent posts to our online magazine, theRecord. These are often linked to from the practical information that we have, to help give some personal experiences.

Success – Getting permission from probation to return overseas to my husband and family – “To say that I’ve had the year from hell is an understatement. At the beginning of the year I was convicted of a white collar crime and given a suspended sentence and 300 hours of unpaid work. Up until the time I was arrested, I’d been living with my husband 5,000 miles away from the UK but whilst awaiting my court appearance and sentencing I hadn’t been allowed to leave the UK …..’

Struggles and stigma – Struggling to find work with a life sentence – “In 1999 I was tried and convicted of murder. I had never been in trouble before and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I will never re-offend. A moment of complete and utter madness led me to doing something that I never thought possible …..’

Discussions on our online forum

Below are links to recent posts to our online forum. If you’d like to join in the discussion but are not currently a forum member, find out how you can join here.

Post Brexit impact on travelling to Europe – Normallife has expressed his concerns about the ability to move and live in Europe when we leave the EU. Is this something that you’re worried about? Let us have your thoughts.

Other news and developments

Below are links to other news and developments that might be of interest to people with a criminal record. For more news, check out the news and media section of our main website.

Basic DBS checks are coming soon – find out more

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is introducing basic criminal record checks for people in England and Wales. Basic checks disclose unspent convictions but not ones that have become spent. This replaces the service previously provided by Disclosure Scotland. Find our more information here.

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About this site

This site is for people in England & Wales and it's managed by Unlock, an independent charity for people with convictions.

It's designed to provide self-help information on a wide range of issues that criminal records can effect. It's split into information sections. There's also quick links, latest updates and a downloads section. Find out more.

Supporting the site, we run a confidential peer helpline. If you have any questions about our information, please contact us

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Unlock is the only charity in England & Wales dedicated to supporting law-abiding people with convictions. We do not deliver government-contracted services. By being independent, we respond to the needs of the people we exist for.

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